Driven Far Off

The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.

Boys Night Out – Self-Titled

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BNO

Artist:Boys Night Out
Record: Self-Titled
Label: Ferret Records
Purchase: SmartPunk
Release Date: June 26, 2007

Overall: 8.5
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 9.0

Your headphones are snug over your ears as the record starts. From the first line you hear (“Get your head straight, before it’s too late”), you start to realize this record is going to be more honest than your grandmother’s confessional last Sunday. The guitar riffs are unique and not the typical repetitive norm that you hear over and over again. The chorus hits and it’s the catchiest thing you’ve heard since Hanson’s “Mmmbop”. Your spirit is lifted and before the second track begins, you are already humming the chorus from the first track. You remove your headphones and get on with your life, yet still hearing the record being played thanks to your short-term memory database.

Boys Night Out released their self-titled full length on June 26th, 2007 to a boring, typical, blah audience. Fans are now content with mediocre bands that have dollar bills in their eyes and cheat sheets for a sure No. 1 hit. Bands are continually copying each other, whether it’s a distinctive sound or the lyrical content or the way the chorus plunges in the middle of a song. Vocalist Jeff Davis states, “That’s all we ever try to do when making music. We always write for us.” Hats tipped off in an 1800’s fashion. Finally there is a band that is writing music not because the scene demands it or the record labels markets it a sure moneymaker.

Every song on this self-titled record is just as catchy as the previous one. You find yourself listening to one song and humming the chorus, but the next song rolls around and you have a new chorus to start humming. It’s not a matter of catchy choruses sounding the same; each song has its own unique sound and upbeat tempo. The lyrics are honest and easy enough to understand, but vague enough to take your own meaning away.

There are a million of things to think about when you give up getting high. There are so many mistakes in your life that they keep your company. Regardless of the topic, there is a song for every listener on this Boys Night Out self-titled album. There is even a 21st century drinking song that repeats, in an Irish pub chant sort-of-way, “Tonight, to hell with everything else. We’ll drink hard. We’ll drink, we’ll drink to ourselves.” Well, to hell with every blah rock band, we’ll find ourselves listening to this record repetitively.

Track Listing
1. Get Your Head Straight
2. Swift and Unforgiving
3. The Push and Pull
4. Up With Me
5. The Heirs of Error
6. Let Me Be Your Swear Word
7. Hey, Thanks
8. Fall for the Drinker
9. Apartment
10. Reason Ain’t Our Long Suit
11. It Won’t Be Long

The Rocket Summer – Do You Feel

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TRS

Artist: The Rocket Summer
Album: Do You Feel
Label: Island Records
Purchase: Island Records
Release Date: July 17th 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 9.0

July 17th was a day that had long been marked on my calendar. It marked the release date of The Rocket Summer’s junior album — Do You Feel. The joy of my anticipation was killed when my pre-order did not arrive in the mail on the exact release date. I refused to wait another day so I headed over to the store without hesitation to buy what would be my second purchase of the new Rocket Summer record.

I popped in the cd and infectious pop filled my ears to their content. “Break It Out” — the first track was full of more energy then any song I had yet to hear this year. Instead of being eased into the album you are commanded to jump in and you are kept captivated the entire time. Every song is phenomenal and the flow of the record brings you full circle – from diving in with massive spirit in the first track to bringing it down a bit in the humbly written “Back to You” and ending things with the inspiring lyrics and vocals in “So In This Hour…”

This record definitely marks a transition from an indie to a major label for TRS. Do You Feel has a much bigger sound and has some strong elements that Hello Good Friend and Calendar Days did not. This is very evident in “So Much Love”. The song features Stevie Wonder’s horn section which could not have been more appropriately placed — I believe this song is the triumph of the album.

In today’s world of music and entertainment you are hard pressed to find artists who express themselves in a way that reaches out to others with a positive perspective. That is why Bryce Avary deserves the utmost respect for where he has placed himself in the music world. The first two Rocket Summer albums were themed with honesty and sincerity that was undeniable and that same earnestness can be found in listening to Do You Feel.

It is difficult for me to find much of anything to complain about when giving my thoughts on this record – it is everything that a long time fan of The Rocket Summer could ever want and it stretches beyond that to reach a whole new group of soon to be Rocket Summer fans. The album in its entirely is an accomplishment for Bryce Avary that appropriately follows up his last records.

Be sure to check out the The Rocket Summer on the last weeks of warped tour and then into the fall as they open up for the Sleeping with Giants tour headlined by The Academy Is… If you have never been to a Rocket Summer show before and you love the cd you are in for the time of your life. The power from Bryce’s live performance combined with dedication and excitement from the fans creates an unstoppable dance party that you are sure to want to be a part of.

Track Listing
1. Break It Out
2. So Much Love
3. Do You Feel
4. Save
5. All I Have
6. High Life Scenery
7. A Song Is Not A Business Plan
8. Taken Aback
9. Colors
10. Run To You
11. Hold It Up
12. Waiting
13. So, In This Hour…

Chaser – Numb America

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Chaser

Artist: Chaser
Album: Numb America
Label: Felony Records
Purchase: CD Baby
Release Date: 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

Numb America is an album that will be compared to Pennywise and Western Addiction. Although they have two different sounds, you will find a similarity to them in the band Chaser.

I listened to it once, and thought it was good punk music with great lyrics. Then I set the album aside for some time and found myself listening to it again to see if I still felt the same. That second time around I found myself listening to “Status”, “Autopilot: Mind Your Own”, “Set It Off” and “Great Unknown” with the volume turned up a little more than previously set. This is a punk band with a California edge. Your going to have your political songs with the fast paced rhythm and the song about the O.C scene…or lack of according to them but its a great package of music your going to have.  The reason I compared them above to Pennywise and Western Addiction was that in some songs I heard a similarity to Pennywise earlier work and then as I was shuffling through my ipod for another similarity I found Western Addiction. Although Western Addiction sound is faster and harder they both have that punk rock edge that I feel Chaser holds. This record is quite good and whether they get to be as big as Pennywise, Bad Religion or any other punk band its up to you, we’ll have to wait and see.

Track Listing
1. New Beginning
2. Status
3. Numb America
4. California Redemption
5. Autopilot: Mind Your Own
6. Set it Off
7. Know Your Way
8. Dust in the Wind
9. World Routing
10. Great Unknown
11. Business Plan
12. Existence is All We Share
13. Backup (All the Arms We Need)
14. An Ode to Orange County and its Scene, or Lack Thereof

Circa Survive – On Letting Go

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Circa Survive

Artist: Circa Survive
Album: On Letting Go
Label: Equal Vision
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 29, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 9.0

“Living Together,” is the first track off of Circa Survive’s newest release On Letting Go. With its creepy, catchy, reverb drenched guitars I often have to remind myself that I’m not listening to their debut album Juturna. Surprisingly, this song is nothing like the other 11 tracks off On Letting Go which are, in a sense, a step up from Juturna. Sure, there are the hauntingly beautiful melodies on On Letting Go that made the previous disc a hit, but there are also many different elements that are, in my opinion, very unexpected. Circa Survive consists of members; Anthony Green (vocals), Brendan Ekstrom (guitar), Colin Frangicetto (guitar), Nick Beard (bass), and Steve Clifford (drums).

The album in it’s entirety is very, very well written with none of the songs, in my opinion, on the boring or lackluster side. Stand-out tracks include; the acoustic, ballad-like “Kicking Your Crosses Down” where Green shows his best vocal performance on the album. Other stand-out tracks include “Semi Constructive Criticism” where it starts with Green singing a few words to 2 guitar chords and then speeds up so unexpectedly that it’s comparable to a kick in the face, if you will, then slows back down to the normal Circa Survive tempo. Then there is, in my opinion, the best track on the album “Your Friends Are Gone” which is also the most unique song on the disc. It begins with a fairly poppy guitar riff that you would never expect to hear from a band of this genre, and then picks up into a good paced, catchy song. Overall, I am very impressed with this release, and I would probably call it one of the best records of 2007.

Track Listing
1. Living Together
2. In The Morning And Amazing
3. The Greatest Lie
4. The Difference Between Medicine And Poison Is In The Dose
5. Mandala
6. Travel Hymn
7. Semi Constructive Criticism
8. Kicking Your Crosses Down
9. On Letting Go
10. Carry Us Away
11. Close Your Eyes To See
12. Your Friends Are Gone

The Academy Is… – Santi

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Santi

Artist: The Academy Is…
Album: Santi
Label: Fueled By Ramen
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 3, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 7.5

The Academy Is… happens to be one of the latest pop punk band to fall under the all powerful Pete Wentz’s wing. The story goes that Pete was so impressed by the band’s debut The Academy EP, that he convinced Fueled By Ramen to fly out and sign the band immediately. Their first full length album was a direct continuation of the EP’s sound and gave them their first bit of mainstream appeal. In between Almost Here and Santi two members were replaced, ushering in fresh blood and a fresh sound.

The band’s patented sound is forsaken as Santi features a whole new slew of influences and sounds, but sadly, a lot less hooks. While Almost Here was filled with memorable riffs and wordplay, Santi tries to troupe through a number of different sounds — from the deliciously off key background vocals on “We’ve Got a Big Mess on Our Hands” to the downright painful ballad that is “Everything We Had.”

Santi sometimes chances upon great successes: songs oozing with style and begging to have William Beckett declared the new boy wonder of pop punk. This is best seen on tracks such as “Bulls in Brooklyn.” The song begins with Beckett’s constantly improving voice laid over a steady bass and drum, and moves into one of the more passionate choruses in The Academy Is…’s catalog.

As mentioned above there are as many songs that stumble as those that succeed. “Neighbors” is one example of this. The song sounds better suited in a clothing store commercial, rather than on the album of a band that’s produced such gems as “Judas Kiss” and “Black Mamba.” While listening to the song’s mindless verses and stabs at yet another style of music, the only redeeming quality to this song is found in Beckett’s ability to maneuver his pitch at will. His vocal contribution over and over proves to be Santi‘s saving grace.

If there were two words to describe Santi, it would be “unfulfilled talent.” It could be the relentless touring allowed for the lyrics to lose their bite, and that the loss of LaTrace and DelPrincipe has caused the band to abandon the style of music that had been perfected in previous efforts. While there certainly are successes on Santi, the spotty lyrics and penchant for genre-hoping leave listeners with a foul taste in their mouth. The introduction in “LAX to O’Hare” wraps up Santi nicely, telling us, “What happened next was a series of unfortunate events,” if only Beckett had realized how true this lyric would become.

Track Listing
1. Same Blood
2. Lax To O’Hare
3. We’ve Got A Big Mess On Our Hands
4. Sleeping With Giants (Lifetime)
5. Everything We Had
6. Bulls In Brooklyn
7. Neighbors
8. Seed
9. Chop Chop
10. You Might Have Noticed
11. Unexpected Places

Mxpx – Secret Weapon

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Mxpx secret weapon

Artist: MxPx
Album: Secret Weapon
Label: Tooth And Nail
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: July 17th, 2007

Overall: 8.5
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

Mxpx are back with their newest full length Secret Weapon. Not a fan of a little punk rock music? This release is probably not for you then. Not an Mxpx fan? Well you’re probably out of luck here too because this record is Mxpx defined. The new album does take some steps in new directions but the steps are very little.

The first song which is the title track “secret weapon” hits hard with 1998 Mxpx punk rock style. The first track pretty much lays it out and foreshadows the rest of the album. If you like or even love it then sit back and enjoy the ride.

“Shut It Down” talks about getting out from behind the computer screen and not having society grow an unproductive MySpace generation. “Top of The Charts”, “Sad Sad Song” and “Tightly Wound” are some of the tracks will probably stand out the most with their thick engulfing melodies. “Chop Shop“ and “Bass So Low” are a couple of the non traditional songs in which the band takes those steps in newer directions. . The songs are sung different and are a bit heavier than the rest of the songs on the album. Probably the funniest part on the record or funniest part from any Mxpx record comes on the song “Not Now”, when it breaks down and mike starts singing “goose fraba” the calming phrase from the movie anger management.

So now on to the “what’s bad” about the album, the part where we can lay into all the things that the band did wrong. Well all the cynics out there can move on because there’s not many bad things to say about this album. With 16 (17 with the hidden one) songs some are slightly weaker such as “Chop Shop” but this is a filler free record that will leave you feeling like your $12 was well spent.

Tracklisting
1. Secret Weapon
2. Shut It Down
3. Here’s To The Life
4. Top Of The Charts
5. Angels
6. Punk Rock Celebrity
7. Contention
8. Drowning
9. Chop Shop
10. You’re On Fire
11. Bass So Low
12. Sad Sad Song
13. Never Better Than Now
14. Biting The Bullet Is Bad For Business
15. Not Nothing
16. Tightly Wound

Note: Review originally posted on www.thealbumproject.net check it out for this and other reviews

Hidden in Plain View – Resolution

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Hidden in Plain View

Artist: Hidden in Plain View
Album: Resolution
Label: Drive-Thru Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: July 24th, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 7.5

Earlier this year when the news of Hidden in Plain View’s breakup hit the wire, fans were left shocked and completely devastated. However many found solace in the fact that the group’s final effort, Resolution would get to see the light of day. As Drive-Thru Records still planned to release the posthumous record later in the year. Quickly message boards lit up with both sorrow and anticipation. Everyone shared fond memories of the beloved New Jersey group and pondered what the future would hold for the various projects that would stem from Hidden in Plain View’s demise. Despite the mourning all were anxious to hear what would come of the final recording session. What would the band leave us to remember them by?

We begin with “Bendy” a true opener that packs a real punch, with raw emotion and soaring melodies. I don’t think the album could be led off any better and the track itself will certainly go down as one of my favorites. “I Don’t Wanna Hear It” can only be described as a bouncy number that will without a doubt resonate in fans hearts for a longtime to come. We venture into slightly darker and heavier terrain with the songs “Heavy Breathing” and “Walk Harbor City” where the guitar work proves exceptional. I feel the standout track on Resolution is “Circles,” which is a perfect example of Hidden in Plain View’s finesse for bridging both heavy and melodic sounds to create a killer song. The hard-driving sounds of “Our Time” leave me wondering what could have been… if the group hadn’t called it a day. The ladder of the record is tied together nicely with a short instrumental “Interlude.”

Where “The Lake House” shows no signs of the professional or creative differences that were cited for the separation. The album concludes with “Hear Me Out” and as the ambient almost haunting echoes chant and ringout, the final chapter of Hidden in Plain View is written. While their existence was relatively short, the band has left quite a rich legacy behind. Hidden in Plain View and the music they made will always be remembered, thus giving their subsequent projects some very solid ground to stand on. So, what would the band leave us to remember them by? The answer is Resolution, and it is truly a great note for them to go out on.

Track List
1. Bendy
2. I Don’t Wanna Hear It
3. Like an Ocean
4. Heavy Breathing
5. Walk Harbor City
6. Circles
7. Our Time
8. Off My Shoulders
9. Interlude
10. Something Needs to Change
11. The Lake House
12. Hear Me Out

Paramore – Riot

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Paramore - Riot

Artist: Paramore
Album: Riot
Label: Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 12, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.5

During the space between their debut and new album, I’ve seen a bass player leave and an old one return as well as the departure of two guitarists. Paramore has been through more members in their short time than any band I can think of. I can’t help but wonder if their new switch to a four-piece lineup in the studio helped make “Riot” what it is.

The album is more of the same straightforward nu-emo rock backed by a powerful female vocal presence. Unfortunately, I was expecting so much more. That’s not to say the album is bad. As a matter of fact, the opener “For a Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic” brings on the rock so much that I was pretty stoked to listen to this disc.

A new recording of “Hallelujah,” a song that’s been in the band’s repetoire for some time really knows how to tug at your emotions as well. The heartfelt “That’s What You Get” also makes my ears happy. Then there’s lead single “Misery Business.” I liked this song a lot at first. I even got over the fact that the video made me cringe, but I skip this song every time now. What I don’t get is how leading lady Hayley Williams gets so much crap for this song? I’m sorry that ten year olds(yeah, no joke) are listening to this band now, but they didn’t dumb the content down for them. I don’t get why she needs to apologize for the lyrical content of this song every time it’s brought up.

There are a few more songs (“When It Rains,” “Crushcrushcrush,” and “Born For This”) that I enjoy hearing when they come up on shuffle, the rest didn’t do anything for me. The album was really good at first listen, but the replay factor just wasn’t there for me this time. This was one of my most anticipated for the summer and it ended up mediocre. Maybe if there had been some input from a new guitarist, there could have been some variety to make the tracks stick out more. A solid effort, but it doesn’t stack up to their debut.

Track Listing
1. For A Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic
2. That’s What You Get
3. Hallelujah
4. Misery Business
5. When It Rains
6. Let The Flames Begin
7. Miracle
8. crushcrushcrush
9. We Are Broken
10. Fences
11. Born For This

Minus the Bear – Planet of Ice

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Artist: Minus the Bear
Album: Planet of Ice
Label: Suicide Squeeze
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 21, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 6.5
Production: 9.0

Minus the Bear has been consistently labeled as the “band that should’ve” ever since they burst onto blogs in 2001 with the EP, This is What I Know About Being Gigantic and quickly built a strong following. Through subsequent records the band has continually been criticized for their sound remaining stagnant. The band attempts to fight this label as they release Planet of Ice on August 21, featuring a new member and a new sound.

The new album is almost a complete departure for the band, as the long titles so prominently displayed on Highly Refined Pirates as well as their EPs has finally vanished for better or for worse. Gone as well are references to adventures east of the Atlantic, which were featured on both LPs, in songs such as “Pachuca Sunrise” (from Menos el Oso) and “Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse” (from Highly Refined Pirates). Instead, inside Planet of Ice one will find moody, atmospheric pieces evoking comparisons to Pink Floyd.

Planet of Ice begins with Jake Snider’s familiar low pitched delivery. His deep shrills are set over a backdrop of complex guitar riffs. What is immediately noticeable in the opener “Burying Luck” is the increased presence of the synthesizer (played by newcomer Alex Rose). Another thing that is easily found within “Burying Luck,” as well as Planet of Ice in general is another Minus the Bear signature- an overabundance of choruses.

This brings up Minus the Bear’s most continual flaw; a lack of innovation within an album. While Dave Knudson tries adamantly to keep things interesting, pulling out epic prog rock-like solos and working expertly with Snider to create an amazing dual guitar sound, ultimately the songs on Planet of Ice begin to run together. This is not to say that the album is not enjoyable, but rather the entire album carries such a similar sound that one can at times hardly distinguish song from song, and you end up with instrumentation that sounds more at home as a symphony with ten movements, rather than an album with ten songs.

Even with the noticeably similar sounding songs throughout, some gems do emerge. One of the two tracks which are currently available for download, Dr. L’ling is by far one of the most engaging Minus the Bear songs yet, combining the tone and atmosphere set by the rest of the album with some of the more intriguing lyrics and the stand out performance by Erin Tate behind the drums. Snider croons “Don’t give me no hand-me-down love/It don’t wear the same/I want love that looks good on/With a fit that screams my name” eventually yielding to awe-inspiring guitar.

At times throughout the album displays great strides in musicianship, but in the end this album becomes a new face to the same problems which have plagued Minus the Bear from being a stand out act. While this album may contain some of Minus the Bear’s most musically accomplished songs, it also contains some of their most forgettable.

Track Listing
1. Burying Luck
2. Ice Monster
3. Knights
4. White Mystery
5. Dr. L’ling
6. Part 2
7. Throwin’ Shapes
8. When We Escape
9. Double Vision Quest
10. Lotus

Balkan Beat Box – Nu Med

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Nu Med

Artist: Balkan Beat Box
Album: Nu Med
Label: JDub Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: May 15, 2007

Overall: 8.5
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 5.0
Production: 9.0

Balkan Beat Box released their debut self-titled in 2006, proving that immigration truly isn’t all that bad: it produced one of the most original albums of the year. Formed from members of Gogol Bordello, the band was experienced with the New York scene, and capable of developing hybrids between polar opposite genres. While Gogol Bordello laced Gypsy-influences with Punk and Rock sounds, Balkan Beat Box mixes a Hip- Hop sensibility with instruments likely to be found in the Boban Markovic Orchestra than any other New York based act.

The unlikely crossover of a traditional Eastern sound and a progressive Western genre worked, and the self titled debut found critical acclaim, even helping Balkan Beat Box find their way on a tour supporting the Chassidic rapper, Matisyahu. Amiss touring and fanfare, Balkan Beat Box penned and recorded the successor to their self titled album “Nu Med”, released in in mid-May on JDub Records.

The sound of Nu Med is nearly indescribable. Take every stereotypical Eastern European instrument, every horn and drum you associate with the Balkans, throw it onto a hip hop beat, and then you’re halfway there. On top of this seemingly ridiculous backing beat will be a group of individuals rapping seamlessly from tongue to tongue, pausing to give the instruments time to shine.

Regrettably, Nu Med begins with an all-too-cliché “intro” song titled “Keep’em Straight”, with the voice of an announcer shouting, “Ladies and Gentlemen” several times, finishing with a drawn out “Balkan Beat Box” then quickly the erupting into a chorus of horns, backed by a familiar drum beat, and cheers of the crowd.

The album continues into one of its highlights, “Hermetico”. It begins with a rapped verse, followed by horns on the verge of being irritating, but expertly navigates the razor edge between annoyance and amazment. All songs are multilayered. There may be one person singing, two different electronic sound effects, three percussion parts, four horns and barely audible minor effects simultaneously. Returning from the debut is the all too familiar sound of a rooster crowing.

Nu Med twists and turns, exploring ways to deliver influences from both sides of the Atlantic until it comes to another highlight, “Gypsy Queens”. Beginning with a drum beat and quickly moving into a quick chorus of horns, the song packs fierce intensity. Easily the most danceable tune to be found, “Gypsy Queens” shows the true talent of those behind Balkan Beat Box.

Now this multi-cultural extravaganza isn’t by any means for everyone. This is at best a perfection of the sound found on Balkan Beat Box, and by no means are there any radical new ideas found within this album. If you are searching for heartfelt, emotional lyrics wrenched from the mouth of a love- scorned man, then this is not your record. But if you are looking to expand your boundaries, looking to find horns that will steal your breath, pine for compositions to whisk your soul away to the Balkans, and leave your body behind, moving to the rhythm, then this is the perfect album for you.

Track Listing
1. Keep ‘Em Straight (Intro)
2. Hermetico
3. Habibi Min Zaman
4. BBBeat
5. Digital Monkey
6. Balcasio
7. Pachima
8. Quand Est-ce Qu’on Arrive?
9. Mexico City
10. Delancey
11. Joro Boro
12. Gypsy Queens
13. $20 For Boban
14. Baharim (Outro)